Driving in London?

pop80_uk · 18-09-2005, 18:57

Hey Guys & Girls
I need your help and advice. Ive got to go and pick up a car from North Norwood, London on Tuesday.
Ive never driven in London before and would not class myself as a confident driver.
So can I ask people how difficult will this Journey be? im coming down from Staffordshire in the Midlands.
Whats London like to drive in? Should I take out life insurance now?
Anyone live near Norwood?

Lets hope my GPS system takes me the easy route

Thanks I look forward to your replies.

18-09-2005, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

Ive never driven in London before and would not class myself as a confident driver.

Unless you're planning to take on a London cabbie, you shouldn't have too much trouble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

So can I ask people how difficult will this Journey be? im coming down from Staffordshire in the Midlands.

Just make sure to remove the flat cap, as it'll improve your all-round visibility.

Also make sure the whippet is securely chained in the back!

Honestly, it's not nearly as bad as people make out. Paris is worse!
I think you'll be avoiding the congestion charge area, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

Whats London like to drive in? Should I take out life insurance now?

Stopp worrying - you'll survive!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

Anyone live near Norwood?

Not any more. I think though, if I recall correctly, that you can avoid driving in 'London' since you'll be mostly going through the leafy suburbs etc.

Whatever you do - make sure the GPS doesn't take you through 'London' on a magical mystery tour. There's usually a way to avoid this.

Have fun!

Paul · 18-09-2005, 19:05

Anywhere in particular in Norwood? Can't find a north Norwood but can find an upper norwood lol.

BBKing · 18-09-2005, 19:08

London drivers are short-tempered, hoot a lot, are inured to pulling out into traffic to turn right (because no one will let you in) and spend a lot of time stationary building up a good head of road rage. Any chance you can start at 4am?

Ahem. If you're ok with motorway driving you should get round the M25 ok - it's not that it's particularly difficult, just that there's a lot of traffic on it. The four-lane bits round the west are pretty horrible right now though, as they're rebuilding it for Heathrow T5. It's getting out to the motorway that could be difficult.

Norwood is roughly in the middle of South London, not an area overburdened by good, fast roads out. Lots of traffic, narrow streets, confusing one way systems. Allow plenty of time, check things on a map first if possible. However, generally heading for the A23 and Brighton and then staying on it as far as the M25 is going to be ok, if tediously dull and slow. Once there, stay on it as far as the M40, then nip up that to the West Midlands, it's usually a better bet than the M1/M6.

Minbu · 18-09-2005, 19:12

Can't you get the car delivered?

Angua · 18-09-2005, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKing

London drivers are short-tempered, hoot a lot, are inured to pulling out into traffic to turn right (because no one will let you in) and spend a lot of time stationary building up a good head of road rage. Any chance you can start at 4am?

Ahem. If you're ok with motorway driving you should get round the M25 ok - it's not that it's particularly difficult, just that there's a lot of traffic on it. The four-lane bits round the west are pretty horrible right now though, as they're rebuilding it for Heathrow T5. It's getting out to the motorway that could be difficult.

Norwood is roughly in the middle of South London, not an area overburdened by good, fast roads out. Lots of traffic, narrow streets, confusing one way systems. Allow plenty of time, check things on a map first if possible. However, generally heading for the A23 and Brighton and then staying on it as far as the M25 is going to be ok, if tediously dull and slow. Once there, stay on it as far as the M40, then nip up that to the West Midlands, it's usually a better bet than the M1/M6.

He is coming From Staffordshire and going to North Norwood.

Having regularly done Oxford to Greenwich yes London is scary. Keep your ultimate objective in mind at all times. Stay on the M25 anti clockwise to the M23 then follow the signs, have a phone handy and make a note of any pubs you see (I have always navigated by pubs) especially nearer your destination so you can call up and ask for help.

BBKing · 18-09-2005, 19:30

Quote:

He is coming From Staffordshire and going to North Norwood..

Who's driving his car back?

Sorry, I read it as 'pick up car in Norwood, drive it to Staffordshire', from context

Angua · 18-09-2005, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKing

Who's driving his car back?

Sorry, I read it as 'pick up car in Norwood, drive it to Staffordshire', from context

good point (see moans/pet hates) for reason.

Xaccers · 18-09-2005, 19:46

go to www.theaa.com
in the list of links on the left there is one for routes
put in the details of where you're going from and to
print it off with map and memorise it as much as you can
get a london AtoZ and use it to follow the route marking off most of the roads that you will pass
that should do the trick
as for driving in london, its fine, I actually find it quite fun (although that was before the congestion charge made it easier and boring)
biggest problem will be finding where you are in london as a lot of the roads won't have name signs (thats why you need to memorise as many as posible from the AtoZ or carry it with you and follow it as you go, safely of course!)

pop80_uk · 18-09-2005, 20:10

Thanks everyone, im still quite scared though!

Jules · 18-09-2005, 20:12

If you think about it you will come across all sorts of problems, just start driving and deal with each thing as it crops up

nffc · 18-09-2005, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angua

Stay on the M25 anti clockwise to the M23

Pull off the M23 at Junction 1

**Stuart** · 18-09-2005, 20:17

And if you do get lost, the Sat Nav should be able to help.

nffc · 18-09-2005, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

And if you do get lost, the Sat Nav should be able to help.

Ah, but no sat nav can find M23 J1

I know where M11 J1 is though...

Xaccers · 18-09-2005, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

Thanks everyone, im still quite scared though!

Don't be
being scared means you've lost half the battle already
you really have nothing to be scared of
driving in london is easy
just plan your route and keep the AtoZ with you incase you go off track.
take your time
forget the horror stories you've heard about london, they're just stories ok?